For most students, the end of the school year means 2 1/2 months of time off and relaxation; for some students, however, the work never stops.
Students who work during the summer earn money for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from snacks, cars, or simply to save for the future. Their jobs include everything from babysitting to working as a cashier. The occupation depends on the student’s interests, skills, and what positions are available.
Noa Carreras, a sophomore, works as a hostess at Waterdog Tavern in the Carlmont Shopping Center.
“It’s definitely nice to have a little bit of extra money, but most of it goes into my savings for when I’m in college,” she said.
Many students find themselves in need of this extra money. As parents pay less and less for students, they must finance their own personal endeavors.
“Some nights when my parents are out, I’m expected to get myself dinner, and that usually means ordering a pizza, which I have to pay for,” said Patrick McDonough, a sophomore. “That’s where the money I get from working as a lifeguard comes in.”
Summer jobs can also provide students with essential life skills that will be useful in many different facets of life.
“Working as a hostess has really improved my people skills,” said Carreras. “I think it will definitely help me in future interviews and possibly make the difference in whether or not I get a certain job.”
McDonough said, “When lifeguarding, you have to be able to deal with people who could be in extremely stressful situations, be it a parent whose child is missing or someone who is recovering after coming close to drowning; being able to console that person is an important skill that my job has taught me.”
Despite these benefits, some people have their reasons for not working over the summer.
Rachael Taube, a sophomore, said “Summer jobs seem great and all, but I tend to be busy with my own activities and can’t commit to a full-time job. Plus, I want to spend my summer on things that I am really passionate about rather than working.”
Whether students spend their summer working or not, they have far more free time than during the school year and are ready to take advantage of it.
“I’m genuinely looking forward to getting back to work, especially after a long school year,” said McDonough.